An Inspector Calls- Eric Flashcards
Key points
Got Eva Smith pregnant
Stole money from his father for her
An alcoholic
“He could. He could’ve kept her on instead of throwing her out. I call it tough luck”
Act 1
Sticks up for Eva Smith
He thinks that she was right for asking for more money
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don’t see why she should have been sacked just because she had a bit more spirit than the others. You said yourself she was a good worker. I’d have let her stay”
She protested for a higher wage.
She was fired as a consequence as she argued back when it was refused.
“I was in a state when a chap easily turns nasty”… “I threatened to make a row”
Act 2
Admits to being drunk
Implies that he forced her to do something or he would cause an argument.
“She didn’t want me to marry her. Said I didn’t love her- an all that. In a way she treated me- as if I were a kid”
Childlike behaviour- angry if he doesn’t get his own way.
He didn’t love her- would only marry her because she was pregnant
(miserably) “Yes. That was the worse of all. She wouldn’t take anymore, and she didn’t want to see me again”
She found out that he was stealing money from his fathers company so she refused to take it.
(bursting out) “What’s the use of talking about behaving sensibly. You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t see it like that. The girl’s still dead, isn’t she?”
Act 3
Changed views- capitalist to socialist.
Knows the effect of his actions on other people.
Angry that his parents have ignored what has been said and refuse to accept that they were wrong
“The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters. And I will feel the same about it, and that’s why I don’t feel like sitting down and having a nice cosy talk.”
His reaction to his parents laughing about it and saying that they will find it funny the next day.
He has strong views on the death, it was definitely their fault and only him and Sheila feel guilt about it.
